Walsingham Names Its First President

Vermont Educator Comes To New Position With 20 Years Of Catholic School Experience

August 10, 2001|By MATHEW PAUST Daily Press

WILLIAMSBURG — Sister Laura Della Santa has become the first president of Walsingham Academy.

Her appointment to the newly created position, which was effective July 1, follows a reorganization of administration at the school intended to free up the two principals "to do the job of principals," said Chris Baron, Walsingham spokeswoman.

Sister Della Santa, who is a member of the Sisters of Mercy Regional Community of Vermont, has a master's degree in education from St. Michael's College in Colchester, Vt.

She has been with Mater Christi School in Burlington, Vt., the past 20 years. At Mater Christi, a private Catholic school with about 400 students, she taught in the elementary grades and then served as principal before becoming the school's chief administrator.

Also at Mater Christi, she served on the school board's executive committee and its finance, development and nominating committees.

Baron said that under Sister Della Santa's leadership Mater Christi received its first accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The school also expanded its faculty, staff and extracurricular activities, raised more than $1 million and underwent a major renovation and expansion. In addition, it was awarded the United States School of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award.

Sister Della Santa's new assignment brings her to a larger school, but with similar attributes, including a recent renovation and expansion and a Blue Ribbon Award.

Mathew Paust can be reached at 229-2854 or by e- mail at mpaust@dailypress.com